What waterfalls do you know? Usually, Victoria Falls or Niagara Falls immediately come to mind . But perhaps few people (with the exception of local residents) will be able to name the Cave Falls. The Altai Territory, where it is located, can rightfully be proud that human activity can sometimes not only not damage the environment, but also create new objects from which nature only becomes more beautiful. But, as they say, about everything - in order.
The village of Cave in the
Altai Territory, until recently, attracted only a few researchers of local nature who came here to look at a small cave located on the banks of the river of the same name, which, in fact, gave the name to this village. It would have continued to this day if His Majesty had not intervened.
The history of the cave waterfall
The creation of human hands, the Cave Falls, has a rather unusual history. It all started with the construction of the Meret - Srednesibirskaya railway line in these parts back in 1984, which was supposed to be used for coal transportation . The subgrade was almost completely erected, culverts were laid , bridges were built, etc. Trains were already launched in some sections, but Perestroika began, then the collapse of the Soviet Union, and as a result of the cessation of funding in 1995, construction was suspended. Two years later, the administration of the Altai Territory and the Kemerovo Region proposed using unfinished railway facilities for the construction of the highway. As it usually happens with us, the approval process lasted for several years.
As a result, only at the beginning of 2000 by order of the administration of the Kemerovo Region did the land and all the objects of unfinished construction of the railway be transferred to the Directorate of the Road Fund for the construction of the highway. It took a lot of gravel and gravel to fill the roadway of the future highway. For their extraction, it was necessary to carry out blasting operations, as a result of which a new landmark appeared on the map - Peshchersky waterfall.
Located in the valley of the Cave River, this waterfall appeared at the place where Silurian limestones came to the surface. The height of the waterfall formed in the river bed is 10 meters in height. The width depends on the season, in the winter - 5 meters, and in the summer - about 10. This man-made object is unusually naturally blended into the surroundings and looks very picturesque.
Peshchersky waterfall - a favorite place for fans of outdoor activities
At the place where the new waterfall appeared, a recreation area appeared, which gained special popularity among fans of spending their leisure time closer to nature. Almost the entire shore of the lake, from which the waterfall flows, is packed with cars and tents on weekends. By the way, entry to the territory is paid. On the territory of the recreation center there are houses that can be rented for a very reasonable fee and a grocery store.
The water that fills the pond in summer warms up well, and therefore Peshchersky waterfall attracts not only for its beauty, but also for the opportunity to take a real natural shower.
How to get there
This wonderful place is located in the Zalesovsky district of the Altai Territory. To get here, you need to turn off the M-52 highway past the Zalesovo district center before turning towards the village of Peshcherka. Then follow the direction of the village of Guniha to the module "Cave Falls".